Darrow, La. Bauxite waste from aluminum smelting, including contaminants such as lead, sits in a storage impoundment. As the surface dries, it turns to dust and spreads beyond the impoundment.J Henry Fair

Darrow, La. Bauxite waste from aluminum smelting, including contaminants such as lead, sits in a storage impoundment. As

While his primary goal was to make aesthetically pleasing photographs, Fair aims to exploit that attractiveness for his unabashedly activist mission, explicitly stating his intention that "the viewer will come away with an innate understanding of [his or] her complicity and a will to make a difference." The images in the book are complemented by a handful of essays written by prominent authors, scientists, and environmentalists, including climate scientist James Hansen.

Traveling from Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico, and to many locations in between, Fair relies on complementary charter flights from two volunteer-based environmental aviation organizations, Lighthawk and Southwings, to make his signature images. From their small aircraft he is able to get close enough — but not too close — to the toxic processes and wastes associated with the extraction and production of oil, gas, coal, aluminum, fertilizers, paper, refrigerants, and more.